The Opioid Epidemic and the Role of the Occupational Health Nurse.

The opioid epidemic is a national public health crisis. It began with the misuse of commonly used prescription opioid pain relievers and has led to the increased use of heroin and illicit fentanyl. Large-scale initiatives have begun on the federal and state level and place an emphasis on improved opioid prescribing, which have important implications for the workplace.

Acute Illnesses and Injuries Related to Total Release Foggers - 10 States, 2007-2015.

Total release foggers (TRFs) (also known as "bug bombs") are pesticide products often used indoors to kill insects. After an earlier report found that TRFs pose a risk for acute illness (1), the Environmental Protection Agency required improved labels on TRFs manufactured after September 2012 (2). To examine the early impact of relabeling, the magnitude and characteristics of acute TRF-related illness were evaluated for the period 2007-2015.

Descriptive review of asbestosis and silicosis hospitalization trends in North Carolina, 2002-2011.

Background: Asbestosis and silicosis are debilitating pulmonary conditions resulting from inhalation of asbestos fibers or silica dust.

Purpose: We provide a descriptive analysis of asbestosis and silicosis hospitalizations in North Carolina to assess trends over a 10-year period.

Methods: Events were defined as inpatient hospital discharges during the period 2002-2011 with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis code of 501 or 502.

Aldicarb: a case series of watermelon-borne carbamate toxicity.

Improper use of pesticides on food plants can result in significant toxicity. In spite of regulations, enforcement, and prior episodes of poisonings, poisonings from misapplication of pesticides continues to occur. The objective of this study was to present a case series of toxicity resulting from ingestion of watermelon inappropriately treated with the carbamate insecticide aldicarb.

Acute illnesses associated with exposure to fipronil--surveillance data from 11 states in the United States, 2001-2007.

Introduction: Fipronil is a broad-spectrum phenylpyrazole insecticide widely used to control residential pests and is also commonly used for flea and tick treatment on pets. It is a relatively new insecticide and few human toxicity data exist on fipronil.

Objective: This paper describes the magnitude and characteristics of acute illnesses associated with fipronil exposure.

Using surveillance data to promote occupational health and safety policies and practice at the state level: a case study.

Background: Following the investigation of a birth defects cluster involving migrant farmworkers employed in North Carolina and Florida, it became clear that greater efforts were needed to protect agricultural workers from pesticide exposure.

Methods: Documentation is drawn from peer-reviewed published articles, government reports and news accounts.

Results: The birth defects cluster was identified and investigated by state and federal pesticide poisoning surveillance system staff.

Risk factors associated with fatal animal-vehicle collisions in the United States, 1995-2004.

Objective: Animal-vehicle collisions are a significant public health concern in the United States. The annual economic cost currently exceeds $1 billion from injuries and property damage. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluated nonfatal injuries from animal-vehicle collisions, but information on fatal animal-vehicle collisions is limited.